Control mechanism for marking machines



April 12, 1949. T. A. cARoTHERs ETAL 2,467,188

CONTROL` MECHANISM FOR MARKING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. so, 1945 INVENTORS THOMAS ACAROIHERS YCARL H. BURIRHARD THE/R ARNEY April l2, 1949. T. A. cARol-HERSl ETAL 2,467,188

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MARKING MACHINES Filed Aug. 50, 1945 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4MII 66 f INVENTORS ,j V). L9. THOMAS AQAROTHERS CARLHBURKHARD April 12, 1949. T. A. cARoTHERs ETAL 2,467,188

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MARKING MACHINES Filed Aug. 50. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TO THQMAS ACARO'H RS BcARl. HBURKHARD April 12, 1949. T. A. cARoTHERs ETAL 2,467,188

coNTRoL MECHANISM FOR MARKING MACHINES Filed Aug. so,4 1945 5 sheets-sheep 4 INVENToRs THOMAS A. cARo'rHERs CARL HBURKH'ARD THE/R ORN/EY April 12, 1949. T. A. cAoTHr-:Rs ETAL 2,467,188

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MARKING MACHINES Filed Aug. 30, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 r4 m 03 (Dd) INVENTOR. THOMAS A.;AROTHFR5 CARL H. BURKHA RD Patented Apr. 12, 1949 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MARKING MACHINES Thomas A. Carothers, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Carl H. Burkhard, Goshen, Ind., assignors to The National Marking Machine Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 30, 1945,. Serial No. 613,626

(C1. IUI-93) 14 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to an improvement in control mechanism for marking machines and has to 6.0 more particularly, with a control mechanism for locking and releasing a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, so as to control its operation With reference to an associated billing machine.

In the dry cleaning industry, it is the usual practice for the individual customer to deliver a batch or group of garments to be cleaned to the local branch or store of the central dry cleaning establishment. At this branch or store, an invoice will be written out covering the group of garments delivered by a single customer and tags will be printed on a marking machine with the identifying number assigned to this lot, one of said tags being pinned or stapled to each garment in the lot. The invoice is usually written on a` billing machine, having a series of record forms that are serially numbered, so that each invoice will have a serial number, and the identifying number, printed on the tags attached to the garments covered by an invoice, should be identical with the serial number of the invoice. The garments thus collected at a branch or store, with the numbered tags attached, are sent to the central dry cleaning establishment, along With copies of the invoices, and there dry cleaned. After cleaning they are returned to the local branch. or store from which they came, and by comparing the identifying number on the tags with the serial number of the invoice, the garments of a lot belonging to the individual customer are collec-ted for delivery to him.

The principal object of our invention is to provide an interlocking control between a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers and an associated billing machine, which will ensure that the number printed on a group of tags by the marking machine will correspond with the serial number of the corresponding invoice written in the billing machine.

Another object of our invention is to provide means for automatically locking a marking machine against operation, which is actuated to lock the machine by operation of the billing machine tc eject a record therefrom.

A further object of our invention is to provide means for automatically locking a marking machine against operation, which is automatically released by the operation of setting the marking machine to print the next consecutive number.

Another object of our invention is to provide a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom, and means for limiting the movement of the ejecting means. to that required to eject the copy or copies of a single record, together withmeans for resetting the limiting means to permit operation of the eiecting means to eject another record.

A further object of our invention is to provide a billing machine having such elec-ting,` limiting and resetting. means,I and ay marking machine that is automatically locked by operation of the elect ing means, and automatically released by setting the marking machine to print the next consecutive number..

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance, we have accomplished the objects of our invention.v by the devices and means described in the following specification. Our invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure, constituting a preferred embodiment of our invention, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a marking machine, a billing machine and interconnecting control mechanism embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional View through the marking machine, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional View through the marking machine, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, detail, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig.. 5 is a detail, sectional view of the toggle linkage, taken online 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. l, showing the means for limiting the action of the billing machine ejecting means.

Fig. 7 is a detail, sectional View, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 8 is a vertical, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '1.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction oi the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In general, our invention comprises a means for locking a marking machine against operation, that is automatically actuated by the operation of the record ejecting means of an associated billing machine. The marking machine may be of the type adapted to print consecutive numbers, and the locking means may be released by the operation of setting the marking machine to print the next consecutive number. Thev billing machine ejecting means may include a rotatable shaft, rotation of which moves the lock for the marking machine to locking position. The means for moving the lock to locking position may include a rock shaft, rocked in one direction by rotation of said ej ecting means shaft. The latter shaft may have a drum fixed thereon, carrying an eccentric stud engageable with an arm fixed on the rock shaft. The means for locking the marking machine may include a, lock shaft having thereon a locking finger adapted to cooperated with a moving part of the marking machine to lock it against operation, and operating connections between the rock shaft and the lock shaft. These operating connections may consist of a toggle linkage including a toggle arm` fixed on the rock shaft, a toggle arm fixed on the lock shaftI and a spring tending to move the toggle arms to their limits of movement in both directions.

As stated above, the marking machine may have means for setting it to print the next consecutive number, and this may include a rocking, pawl-carrying frame, which is rocked to advance the setting of type `wheels so as to position them to print the next consecutive number. The

rocking of this frame may be used to release the lock for the marking machine. To this end, we may provide a link, one end of which is pivotally connected to said frame, while the other end thereof is connected to the upper arm of a pivoted lever, the lower arm of which is adapted to rock the lock shaft to releasing position, when the frame is rocked to advance the setting of the type. There may be an arm fixed on the lock shaft and carrying a stud engageable by the lower arm of said lever. The marking machine may have a main operating shaft having a locking projection thereon, with which the locking linger on the lock shaft engages, to lock the marking machine against oper-ation.

Means are provided to limit the operation of the billing machine ejecting devices to that requisite to eject a copy or copies of a single record, and they may take the form of a helical groovel in the periphery of the drum, fast on the rotatable shaft of the ejecting means, and having a stop in said groove. A stop lever is provided with a finger working in the groove and the lever will be so mounted as to permit the linger to follow the groove as the drum rotates upon operation of the ejecting means. Engagement of the finger with the stop in the groove prevents further rotation of the drum and thus limits operation of the ejecting means. A handle may be provided by which the lever may be manipulated to withdraw the finger from the portion of the groove adjacent the stop and permit it to be engaged with an earlier portion of the groove, whereby the limit.

ing means may be reset to permit the operation of the ejecting means required to eject a new record.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, we have provided a billing machine, indicated generally at I0, which may be of the type sometimes referred to as an autographic register, having a series of inter-connected forms which are serially numbered, and means for ejecting a record form and such carbon copies thereof as may be provided. The billing machine I has a Writing opening II in the top wall thereof through which the operator may write an invoice upon the record form I2 exposed at said writing opening. This record form has the serial number printed thereon, as indicated at I3, and successive forms are consecutively numbered. The

means for ejecting a record comprise a gear I4, rotated by crank I5, and meshing with a gear I6 fast on shaft II. rThe rotation of shaft II, by means of crank i5, ejects the record I2 from the billing machine.

A drum I8 is fixed on the end of shaft I'I projecting from the right side of the billing machine, and this drum has a helical groove I9 formed in the periphery thereof. A stop block is fixed in this groove. A base plate 2i has a bracket 22, on which lever 23 is fulcrumed on pivot pin 24, which is parallel to the shaft I'I. A lever extension 25, having a handle 2S on the upper end thereof, is pivoted on pin 2'I carried by lever 23 and extending transversely with respect to shaft II. A tongue 2S on the lower end of lever extension 25 fits within a groove 29 on the upper end of lever 23. Lever extension 25 carries a laterally-projecting nger 35, which eng-ages in groove I9. A spring 3| wrapped around pin 24, and having one end 32 hooked around bracket 22 and the other end 33 hooked around the lever 23, tends to rock the lever clockwise (Fig. 6). Another spring 34 wrapped around pin 2'I, and having one end engaging the side of lever 23, at 35, and the other end engaging the side of lever extension 25, .at 35, tends to move the upper end of the lever extension from right to left (Fig. 1).

When the operator turns crank I5 to eject a record, drum I8 revolves counterclockwise (Fig. 6) until the end of stop block 26) engages finger 39 on lever extension 25, which prevents further rotation of drum I8, shaft I 1 and crank I5 so long as nger 39 remains in this position. In this way, the operation of the ejecting means is limited to that necessary to eject a record from the billing machine. When the operator wishes to eject another record, he must rock lever 23 and extension 25 clockwise (Fig. 6) about pin 24, to withdraw nger 35 from groove I9. This may be done conveniently by grasping the handle 26. When the finger 36 leaves groove I9, spring 34 rocks extension 25 about pin 21 to bring finger 30 into line with an earlier portion of groove I9, and spring SI rocks lever 23 and extension 25 about the axis of pin 24 to carry the finger into the groove. After the limiting means have been reset thus, the operator may operate the ejecting means sufficiently to eject a new record. It will be apparent that the mounting of lever extension 25 is such as to permit finger 39 to follow groove I9 as drum I8 revolves.

A marking machine, indicated generally at 31, is provided, of the type that is adapted to print consecutive numbers. This machine has a base 33 and a casing 39, the latter having an opening 45, at the front, through which access may be had to the platen 4I on which the tags or labels are printed. A pair of brackets 42 is provided on base 38, each of which carries a stud 43, on which the rear end of a type wheel arm 44 is journaled. A shaft 45 is carried by the forward ends of arms 44, and a plurality of type wheels 49, in this instance four, are journaled on shaft 45. Each type wheel 46 has ten type on the periphery thereof, for printing 0 and each of the digits 1 to 9, inclusive, A main operating shaft 4i is journaled in brackets 42 near the base 38 and has an operating handle or lever 48 fixed thereto, outside the casing at the right of the machine. A pair of levers 49 is xed to shaft 4'I in spaced relation. Each lever is rocked rearward by a spring 50, one end of which is connected to lever 49 at 5I, while the other end thereof is hooked to a bracket 52 on base 38. Each arm 44 i has a stud 53, on which is pivoted the lower end of a toggle link 54. Each bracket 42 carries a stud 56, on which is pivoted' the upper end of a toggle link 55.. The adjacent ends of links 54 and 55 are connected by a pin 51, which works in slot 58 in the forward end of a link 59, the rear end of which is journaled on a stud 69 carried by the upper end of the corresponding lever 49. It will be seen that, when the operator depresses the operating lever 48, shaft 41 will be rocked counterclockwise (Fig. 2i) moving. the upper ends of levers 49, and links 59, forward against the tension of springs 50. This straightens the toggles formed by links 54 and 55, so that arms 44 are rocked counterclockwise to move type wheels 46 toward platen 4|. Thus, the type at the printing line are caused to press on tag material positioned on platen 4|, to print a number thereon. When the operator releases lever 48, springs 59 return the parts to the positions shown in Figs. f

2v and 3.

The marking machine is provided with means for setting it to print the next consecutive number, which include theA yoke or frame 5|, the legs of which are journaled on shaft 45 on either side of the set of type wheels 46. A spring 62, connected at one end, as at 63, to the cross-bar of frame 6|, and at the other end, as `at 64, to a member 65 carried by arms 44, tends to rock frame 6| clockwise (Fig. 2). A ten-tooth ratchet wheel 66 is arranged alongside and pinned to each type Wheel 46. Pawls 68, one for each ratchet wheel, are pinned to rod 61 journaled in frame 6|, the pawls being held in proper alignment with the ratchet wheels 66 by the spacing collars 69 on rod 61. Pawls 68 cooperate with the teeth of the corresponding ratchet wheels to advance one or more of these ratchet wheels, and the type wheels flxed thereto, each time frame 6| is rocked clockwise (Fig. 3). An arm 16, fast to the cross-bar of frame 6|, extends forwardly through a slot in casing 39 and has a key tip 1| on the forward end thereof accessible at the front of the machine. By pressing down on the key tip 1|, the operator rocks frame 6| clockwise, against the tension of. spring 62 to advance the setting of the type wheels.

The pawls 68 are fastened on rod 61 in staggered relation, that is, with the tip of units paw] 68 nearest the axis of shaft 45, the tip of tens pawl 68 next closest to said axis, the tip of hundreds paw-1 68 next closest to said axis, and the tip of thousands pawl 68 most removed from said axis. The ratchet wheels 66 have notches of uniform depth, one for each type on the corresponding type wheel, with the exception of the notches at the 9 positions of the ratchet wheels 66 for units, tens and hundreds order. The 9 position is that at which the "9 type is at the printing line. The three ratchet wheels mentioned have deep notches at the 9 position, of which the notch in the units ratchet wheel is deepest, the notch in the tens ratchet wheel is next in depth, and the notch in the hundreds ratchet wheel is next in depth, but still deeper than the notches at other positions. This arrangement takes care of the tens-transfer from one type wheel to another. If the units type Wheel is at some position other than f9, the pawls of higher order are heid away from their ratchet wheels and rocking of frame 6i advances only the units ratchet wheel and type Wheel one step. If. the units wheel is at "9 position, the pawls are allowed to drop, due to the deep notch, until the tens` pawl engages the tens ratchet wheel and, then, rocking frame 6|, advances the units wheel from 9 to 0. and the tens; wheel one step, as required to provide the. tens-transfer.. This arrangement takes care of transfers from` units to tens, from tens to hundreds, and fromhundreds to thousands order, when required. For a morecomplete illustration and description of this mechanism, reference is made to our pending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 603,834, filed July 9, 1945. It will be apparent that the operator sets the marking machine to print the next consecutive number by depressing key 1| and rocking frame 5| clockwise (Fig. 3).

Locking projectionsv or teeth 12 (Figs. 3', 4 and 8) are fixed on the main operating shaft 41 of the marking machine. A lock shaft 13 is journaled on the base 38 and has fastv thereon a pair of locking fingers 14 provided with shoulders 15 for engagement with the locking projections 12. When the lock shaft is in locking position, With shoulders 1,5 engaging projections 12, the shaft 41 cannot be rocked by depressing lever 48 andthe machine cannot be operated, but when the lock shaft 13' is in releasing position, fingers 14 clear projections 12 and the machine can be operated.

A toggle arm 15 is fast to the left end of lock shaft 13, outside of casing 39, and has a forked outer end 11. A rock shaft 19 isr journaled in bearings 18 on base plate 2|, and another toggle arm 89 is fast on the right end of rock shaft 19, in line with toggle arm 16. Arm 89 has a stem 8| slidable in a collar 82 located between the arms of fork 11 and pivoted thereto by trunions 83. A spring 84 is compressed between collar 82 and the shoulder on arm 89 at the base of stem 8|, and tends to move the toggle arms to the limits of their movement, in either direction. Engagement of fingers 14 with projections 'E2 and engagement of toggle arm 16 with base 2| limit the movement of the toggle linkage to locking position. A cam arm 85 is xed to the left end of rock shaft 19, adjacent the end of drum I8, and a roller 86 carried by a stud 81 mounted eccentrically on the end of drum i8, is adapted to wipe over the end of cam arm as drum i8 rotates in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 6) to rock the shaft 19 clockwise. This results in movement of the toggle linkage from releasing to locking position and the rocking of lock shaft 13 to carry lingers 14 into engagement with locking projections 12. Thus,

the operation of the billing machine ejectingV means to eject a record therefrom automatically actuatcs the lock shaft to lock the marking machine against operation.

An arm 98 is fast on the lock shaft 13, inside the casing 39 of the marking machine near the left side wall thereof, and carries a laterallyprojecting stud 39 at the upper end thereof. A lever 99 is pivoted at 9| to the left-hand casing wall and the lower arm of this lever has a shoulder 92 adapted to engage stud 69 when lock shaft 13` is in locking position. The rear end of a link 93 is pivotally connected at 9'4 with the upper end of lever 99. A hole in the forward end of link 93` receives the end of a pin 95 extending laterally from the rocking frame 6|. It will be evident that, with the lock shaft 13 in locking position, the rocking of frame 6| counterclockwise (Fig. 8) to set the type wheels to print the next consecutive number will move link 93 forward, rock lever 90 counterclockwise, and rock lock shaft 13 clockwise to release the marking machine for operation.

The operation of our improved control mechanism should be evident from the foregoing description, but will be explained in connection with a typical cycle of operations. At the start of this cycle, the billing machine ejectng means will be inoperative since the ejection of the last preceding record left the finger 36 against stop block in groove i9. The lock shaft 13 will be in locking position with locking fingers 14 engaging projections l2, so that the marking machine is locked against operation. The type wheels 46 will be set to print a number one less than the serial number of the record form exposed through opening ll of the billing machine. That is to say, since the serial number of record form I2 is 2645, the type wheels of the marking machine will be set to print 2644. The operator first writes the customers name and address in the spaces provided on the exposed record form and then lists all the items in the customers bundle and completes the invoice, as shown in Fig. l for Invoice No. 2645. The operator must now print tags to be attached to each piece in the bundle, but nds that the marking machine is locked against operation. To release it, the key 'H is depressed which advances the type wheel 46 so that they are now set to print 2645, the same number as that appearing on the corresponding invoice. This unlocks the marking machine, since the rocking of frame El rocks the lock shaft 13 to releasing position. The operator now prints as many tags as needed for the garments in the bundle, each tag bearing the number 2645, and pins or staples the tags to the garments. The operator is ready now to eject the record, Invoice N o. 2645, from the billing machine, but the ejecting means are locked. To release them, the operator pushes rearwardly on handle 26 to remove linger 30 from groove S9 and resets the linger in the beginning of the groove. The invoice is now ejected by turning the crank ifi as far as it will go, and a copy of the invoice is placed with the bundle of tagged garments. The ejection of the invoice and rotation of drum i8 rocked shaft 19, which, through the toggle linkage, rocked the lock shaft 73 to locking position and the marking machine is locked once more. The record exposed in the billing machine, for use in invoicing the next bundle, bears the serial number 2646, but the marking machine is set to print 2645. The mechanism is ready for a repetition of the cycle described, in connection with the next customers bundle.

We are aware that the control mechanism described herein is susceptible of considerable variation, without departing from the spirit of our invention, and, therefore, we claim our invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record 'therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, of a lock for said marking machine, movable from locking to releasing position and vice versa; a rock shaft; connections between said rock shaft and said lock; a drum xed on said rotatable shaft; a stud eccentrically mounted on said drum; an arm fixed on said rock shaft and adapted to be engaged by said stud as the drum rotates, to rock said rock shaft in one direction and move said lock to locking position; and means for moving said lock to releasing position.

2. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, of a lock for said marking machine, movable from locking to releasing position and vice versa a rock shaft; connections between said lock and said rock shaft; means, operated by said rotatable shaft, for rocking said rock shaft in one direction to move the lock to locking position; and means for rocking said rock shaft in the opposite direction.

3. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, of a lock shaft; a locking nger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of said marking machine to lock it against operation; a rock shaft operating connections between said rock shaft and said lock shaft; means, operated by the rotatable shaft of said ejecting means, for rocking said rock shaft in one direction and said lock shaft in the opposite direction; and means for rocking said rock and lock shafts in reverse directions.

4. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a` rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, of a lock shaft; a locking finger' thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving `part of the marking machine to lock it against operation; a rock shaft; a toggle linkage comprising a toggle arm iixed on said lock shaft and a second toggle arm fixed on said rock shaft; spring means acting on said arms to move them to their limits of movement in both directions; means, operated by rotation of said ejecting means shaft, for rocking said rock shaft in one direction and said lock shaft in locking direction; and means for rocking said lock shaft in releasing direction.

5. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, of a lock for said marking machine, movable from locking to releasing position and vice versa; a rock shaft; connections between said rock shaft and said lock; means, operated by rotation of said ej ecting means shaft, for rocking said rock shaft in one direction to move the lock to locking position; and means, actuated by operation of said setting means, for moving said lock to releasing position.

6. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, of a lock for said marking machine, movable from locking to releasing position and vice Versa; a rock shaft; connections between said rock shaft and said lock; a drum fixed on the rotatable shaft of said ejecting means; a stud eccentrically mounted on said drum; an arm xed to said rock shaft and adapted to be engaged by said stud as the drum rotates, to rock said rock shaft and move the lock to locking position; and means, actuated by operation of said setting means, for moving said lock to releasing position. i

7. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, of a lock shaft; a locking finger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the vmarking machine to lock it against operation; a rock shaft; operating connections between said rock shaft and said lock shaft; means, operated by rotation of said ejecting means shaft, for rocking said rock shaft in one direction and said lock shaft in the opposite direction; and means, actuated by operation of said setting means, for rocking said lock and rock shafts in reverse directions.

8. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom including a rotatable shaft, and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, of a lock shaft; a locking finger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the marking machine to lock it against operation; a rock shaft; a toggle linkage comprising a toggle arm xed on said lock shaft and a second toggle arm fixed on said rock shaft; spring means acting on said arms to move them to their limits of movement in both directions; means, operated by rotation of said ejecting means shaft, for rocking said rock shaft in one direction, whereby said toggle linkage rocks the lock shaft in locking direction; and means, actuated by operation of said setting means, for rocking said lock shaft in releasing direction, whereby said toggle linkage rocks the rock shaft in reverse direction.

9. A control mechanism for a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, comprising the combination of a lock shaft; a locking finger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the machine to lock it against operation; means for rocking said shaft to locking position; and means, actuated by operation of said setting means, for rocking said shaft to releasing position.

10. A control mechanism for a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number including a rocking, pawl-carrying frame, comprising the combination of a lock shaft; a locking finger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the machine to lock it against operation; means for rocking said shaft to locking position; and means, actuated by the rocking of said frame, for rocking said shaft to releasing position.

11. A control mechanism for a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number including a rocking, pawl-carrying frame, comprising the combination of a lock shaft; a locking finger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the machine to lock it against operation; means for rocking said shaft to locking position; a pivoted lever; a link connecting one arm of said lever 10 and said rocking frame; and connections between the other arm of said lever and said shaft, whereby the rocking of said frame, to set the machine to print the next consecutive number, rocks said shaft to releasing position.

12. A control mechanism for a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, and having means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number including a rocking, pawl-carrying frame, comprising the combination of a lock shaft; a locking finger thereon adapted to cooperate with a moving part of the machine to lock it against operation; means for rocking said shaft to locking position; an arm xed on said shaft; a pivoted lever having one end engaging said arm; and a link pivotally connected to the other end of said lever and to said rocking frame.

13. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, and having an operating shaft and means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, of a locking projection fixed on said operating shaft; a lock shaft; a locking finger fixed on said lock shaft; means, actuated by operation of said ejecting means, for rocking said lock shaft to bring said nnger into locking relation to said projection; and means for rocking said lock shaft to carry said finger out of locking relation to said projection.

14. A control mechanism for a marking machine comprising the combination with a billing machine having means for ejecting a record therefrom and a marking machine adapted to print consecutive numbers, and having an operating shaft and means for setting the machine to print the next consecutive number, of a locking projection fixed on said operating shaft; a lock shaft, a locking nger xed on said lock shaft; means, actuated by operation of said ejecting means, for rocking said lock shaft to bring said finger into locking relation to said projection; and means, actuated by operation of said setting means, for rocking said lock shaft to carry said finger out of locking relation to said projection.

THOMAS A. CAROTHERS. CARL H. BURKHARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

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